I do not under any…

I do not under any circumstance support the removal of land from the greenbelt in order to develop housing.

The supply and demand imbalance in the housing sector is a large and very real problem. But developing houses in the greenbelt is not the solution.

The greenbelt is not centrally located near public transit or major city centres. This limits job opportunities for those living in the proposed housing developments. Lack of public transit options also forces more people to drive long distances to commute to work. Toronto and GTA roadways are already far too congested during rush hour and more cars on roads is bad for the environment.

Likewise, the negative environmental impact this proposed plan will have on the environment is unacceptable. Our agriculture is just as important as housing. This plan seems very short sighted… what is your plan to support our local agriculture when it is impacted by the housing developments? As climate change continues to advance and negatively impact food security, it is imperative that Ontario’s local agriculture, wildlife, and ecosystems are protected.

This proposed plan also does not even come close to satisfying Ontario’s housing needs. We do not have enough land, resources, or capital to solve the housing market’s supply and demand imbalance. Using irreplaceable greenbelt land on housing developments that do not maximize the amount of homes is a stupid wasteful plan. We should be building upwards, not outwards. Instead of urban sprawling into areas with underdeveloped infrastructure we should be building apartments and condos closer to urban areas. You can build an apartment or condo with over 100 units on a piece of land that would only fit a dozen or so single family houses with a backyard. If your goal is to produce as many homes as possible apartments/condos are the obvious answer.

Not to mention, we are also experiencing an affordability crisis. Will this proposed plan provide homes at varying price points? Will there be low income housing? Will there be rental options? The average Ontarian cannot afford the cost of a house. Multi-residential apartment rentals are a necessary housing option for those who cannot afford or dont qualify for a mortgage. Likewise, with this land being away from urban areas with public transit, people will be forced to have a car which increases cost of living and unaffordability.

Frankly, the plan proposed by the Ford government clearly just seems like a plan to line the pockets of house developers. There is no sound research or strategy. This is NOT in the best interest of Ontarians. This is NOT in the best interest of the environment. This is just a scheme for the rich to get richer.

I would very much like to see the Ford government commission and publish reports from multiple third party non-partisan research and consultant firms. These reports should cover the environmental impacts of development houses on the greenbelt and whether these houses will actually make a significant positive impact on the housing market’s supply and demand imbalance. There is not nearly enough transparency from the government on why they think this is a good idea.